A 19-year-old woman involved in the violent death of Jesse Thompson, a teenage boy, during a high-speed car chase is eligible for parole next year. Thompson was shot and killed on July 3, 2017, while riding in an SUV in Wyong on New South Wales’ Central Coast. The incident originated from a personal feud when one of Thompson’s friends allegedly slept with Keith Evans’ girlfriend, prompting retaliation from the Evans family.
John Paul Evans, 57, and his son Keith, 31, pursued Thompson’s SUV in a ute, which led to a dangerous chase where they drove recklessly before a firearm was discharged. They were found guilty of Thompson’s murder after a Supreme Court retrial. A 25-year-old female accomplice, who was 17 at the time, was sentenced after pleading guilty to murder.
Justice Richard Weinstein described Thompson as a promising young man whose life was tragically cut short. He expressed the loss’s impact on the community, saying, “We are less of a community because of the loss.” The female offender received a sentence of nearly 15 years, with a non-parole period set until October 2026. The judge acknowledged her troubled upbringing and prior violent offences but noted her significant progress toward rehabilitation, including her mental health treatment and academic pursuits in psychology while incarcerated.
As she has shown potential for reform, Justice Weinstein remarked that her future largely hinges on her resilience. Meanwhile, John and Keith Evans face sentencing in early September.